Latch mechanism



Dec. 23, 1952 E. B. JAcoBsoN LATCH MECHANISM 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Feb. 17, 1949 nvEN-ron /sem 4M N O S B C A J B. m W D F.

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ATTORNEY Dec. 23, 1952 E. B. JAcoBsoN LATCH MECHANISM 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 17,. 1949 Il, L w

NvEN-rofz ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 23, 1952 LATCH MECHAN ISM Edwin J acohson, Grand Rapids, Mich., assigner to Crampton Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Michigan Application February 17, 1949, Serial No. 76,898

(Cl. 2in- 336) 9 Claims.

This invention is associated with latch mechanisms designed to\provide a closing force when in lociedpositionThis general type of device has come into wide use in connection with the doorsof refrigerators in which it is not only desirableto secure the door, out to apply a consideraole force to it in order to adequately develop the action of the sealing gasket. Ihe present invention provides a series of performance features and other characteristics which are highly desirable, among which are a positive locking action, releasing action achieved through a short handle pull, the application of a sealing force relatively independent of friction and the possible accumulation of manufacturing tolerances, outside mounting of the components of the device with respect to the door and body portion of the refrigerator, and a high degree of simplicity creating ease of assembly and minimizing the overall cost of manufacture.

The conventional construction of refrigerator doors involves a hollow sheet metal structure. The mounting system of the present invention provides a manner of attaching the lock mechanism to the sheet metal structure in such a way that forces are applied where the natural rigidity of the door is at a maximum. A fixed member of the lock mechanism, preferably in the form of a frame or housing, is so formed as to cooperate with the particular curvature of the door. Fastenings are provided for attaching this fixed member to the door at such a point that the curvature of the sheet metal is in the best position to resist the stresses generated by the locking forces. This feature, coupled with the ease of installation involved in applying the device to the exterior of the door rather than to the inside, has a strong tendency to decrease the net overall cost of providing the lock mechanism in the assembled refrigerator.

The moving parts of the present invention are so arranged in a fixed chassis as to provide a structure of minimum bulk. The arrangement of fixed and moving components of the present invention is such that a cantilever beam can be provided extending beyond the edge of the door and permitting the latch mechanism to engage a keeper that has no substantial projections outwardly toward the front of the refrigerator. In the preferred form of the invention, the arrangement of the components of a toggle mechanism is such as to provide a natural resetting system causing the latch mechanism to operate properly even though it is inadvertently tripped to closed position while the door is opened. These features are all made possible by the linear arrangement of the components of the mechanism within the cantilever beam-type chassis. The arrangement of the bolt pivot point and the shape of the bolt dispose the various surfaces involved in such a relationship that the closing of the door with the bolt in locking position presents a slanted surface for engagement with the keeper having a natural tendency to swing the bolt toward retracting position so as to permit engagement with the holding portion of the keeper.

The present invention will be described in detail by an analysis of the particular embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings,

Figure 1 illustrates a section taken on a horizontal plane through a mechanism which is in the closed position. The mechanism illustrated in Figure 1 is of a toggle-type.

Figure 2 is a section indicating the same device shown in Figure 1 with the components in the unlocked position.

Figure 3 is an end of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the section plane indicated at I-| showing the relationship of this gure with Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an illustration of a mechanism involving a biasing system operating upon the bolt which does not pass over center.

Figure 5 illustrates the system indicated in Figure 4, with the components in the unlocked position.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the trigger member utilized in the mechanism shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Referring to Figure l, the body portion of a refrigerator is generally indicated at I0 and the door at Il. A conventionally formed handle I2 is pivoted at I3 within the xed housing lli. A spring I5 operates to return the handle l2 to the normal position independently of the bolt-positioning system. The various components of the latch mechanism shown in Figure l are securely mounted within the housing I4, which is attached to the door Il by the fastening members I6 at points outwardly disposed with respect to the plane of the opening in the refrigerator iii covered by the door II. A rubber-like gasket l'I is provided between the body portion of the box and the door surrounding this opening to effectively seal the same against the passage of air. It is the purpose of the mechanism described herein to contribute suicient force to the closing action to suiiiciently compress the gasket Il so that it mayrperform its required function.

The housing I4 is provided with the overhanging portion I6 carrying the pin IS which acts as a fulcrum for the bolt 29. The bolt cooperates with the fulcrum l 9 at a slot 2i, and a substantially cylindrical recess 22 is provided in the interior of the bolt for the spring 23. The spring 23 is, in eect, conned between the inner end of the recess .22 andthe surface of the pin E3.

The body portion i0 of the refrigerator is provided with the keeper 24 having an anchoring point provided by the enlarged end 25. The bolt 25 is provided with the locking surface 25 disposed to cooperate with the anchoring point 25 to generate the required locking action. Thebolt 20- is also provided with the curved recess i2? which cooperates with a similarly formed projection to form a pivot connection with the crank 23.' The pin 2S provides a fulcrum support to the crank 28. The position of the pivot connection 2 with respect to the line of centers of the pins Z and i9 establish the direction of thebiasing actioncontributed by the'toggle mechanism which includes the crankit, the bolt 2Ei,`and the action of 'the spring 23.

The handle i?. provided with the Vactuating extension 39 which is disposed to cooperate with the "outer portion 3l-of the crank 28. As the handle l 2 is actuated, rotation takes place-about the pivot I3, causing the actuating extension 33 to cooperate with-the outer portion. 3i of 'the' crank 28 and impart rotation thereto. Such rotation causes the pivot connection .2-between the boltY and crank to approach the line of centers between the pins 29 and I9, and causes the mechanism to snap to the openposition.

As the door|2 `is vswung to the closed position, the contact portion 32 of the trigger 33 'collides with the-outer end lof the keeper 211.5 This action causes the trigger mem'ber.33\to rotate about the fulcrum support 34; -resulting in'bringing. the arm 35 "to bear upon thetop of the bolt' 2t. Figure 2 illustrates the position of the components just previous to the point of :contact betweenthe contactportion 32Sand the keeper 2da As vthe trigger 33 continues to rotate about its lulcrum,

the bolt 20 is urged into a position in which the pivot connection 27v `passes across the line of centers betweenthe-pins IS-and 29 ycausing, the bolt to snap to thellocked position shown. in Figure l. As the door handle is actuated tosopen the'door, the upsettingof the toggle system into the position shown in Figure 2 causes a forcer to be applied to the keeper 24 --by the .contactV surface 32- resulting in an impulse being .imparted to the door in the direction of the openposition.` Itwill be noted that` the. surface-33 of the kinner side of the housing-'I4 is so disposed as .to :operate as a'stop limitingV the-movement of the f ftoggle system in the direction of the unlocked position'.

contact 31 between the bolt 38 and crank 39 never quite reachesY the -line of centers between the crank fulcrum 4B andthe bolt fulcrum 4I. mechanism does notvhave the characteristic of snapping to theopen position which is to be.

found'in the mechanism shown inFigures v.1 and 2. As the handle` l I is pulled, lthe lactuating extension 30 cooperateswith the outerportion 42 This vl i) of the crank 39 to induce rotation thereof about the pin 4U. Such action continues until the latching surface 43 of the crank 39 reaches a position where the engaging surface 44 of the trigger 45 can cooperate under the action o the spring 46. The components are shown in this relationship in Figure 5. As Ythevdoor is swung tothe closed position, the contact surface 4l' of the trigger 45 effects engagement with the outer portion of the keeper plate 24 and forces the trigger from the position shown in Figure 5 to that indicated in Figure 4. This movement of the trigger releases the restraint placed upon the biasing actionof the Vspring 48, and permits the net biasing effect of the system to come to bear and contribute the required locking force. The assembled relationship of the trigger member 45 and the crank 39 provides for the two opposite arms 49 and 50 to straddle the portion 5| of the crank 39 which is cut away on each side as shown to provide for the latching 4surfaces 43.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated in the ac companying drawings and are discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are not to beA taken as limitations uponv the scope or the appended claims. In these claims it is the intent of theinventor to claimtheentire scope of the inventionA towhich he is entitled in vier.l of the priorart.

I claim:

1. A latch mechanism for cooperation with a keeper to secure a door in .closed relationship with a container, comprising: a fixed member; means forminga toggle system comprising a bolt having a locking portion for cooperation with. said. keeper,and:crank;means pivotally engaging said bolt, said bolt .and crank=means being pivotally, moulntedion said xedmember at points remote from said lockingzportion, and said locking portion'having a path of movement located between saidfpivotal mountings and directed substantially perpendicularly to a.line.connecting said mountings; biasing means. urging said bolt andcrank means. together; Vstopmeanslimiting the movement of said bolt in adirection'away from 'saidv keeper; and/actuating.'.meanszfor imparting rotationto amember ofsai'd toggle system about itsv fulcrumfto engage and .disengage said bolt from said '.keeper.

2.1i A" latch mechanism .for cooperation :with Aa keeper.V to r secure' :aldoor Yin closed relationship.:

with' a container,4 comprising: a xed member having .an overhangngfportion disposed to pass. -overand .beyond said: keeper as said. door is closedj meansiormingfa .toggle system. comprisingl a vbolt having a locking. portion for coopera-r y tion 'with said keeper, and .crankmeanspivotally engagingsaid bolt, said .crank beingpivotally;

mounted on said fixed member at a point remote fromsaidlocking portion, and .said lockingfportionfhaving a path of movement located Abetween said `pivotalmountings. and directed substantially K perpendicularly to a line connecting said-mountings; fulcrum means. associated .with said over-r hangingportion forsupporting saidbolt .at a point remote from.. said locking portion; .biasing means -urging saidv bolt and .crank means rto.- gether; stop means limitingrthe rotation of said bolt 'inaldirection away yfrom vsaid keeper;v and actuating means for-imparting rotation to .a

member of said'toggle-system-about its ful-cram tof engageand disengage said bolt fromsaid keeper;

3."A"latchvmechanism fo'rcooperation with a.

keeper to secure a door in closed relationship with a container, comprising: a xed member having an overhanging portion disposed to pass over and beyond said keeper as said door is closed; means forming a toggle system comprising a bolt having a locking portion for cooperation with said keeper, and crank means pivotally engaging said bolt, said crank being pivotally mounted on said fixed member at a point remote from said locking portion, and said locking portion having a path of movement located between said pivotal mountings and directed substantially perpendicularly to a line connecting said mountings; fulcrum means associated with said overhanging portion for supporting said bolt at a point remote from said locking portion; biasing -meansurging said bolt away from said fulcrum;

' said togglen system -about vitsfulcrum to engage and disengage said bolt from said keeper.

4. A latch mechanism for cooperation with a keeper to secure a door in closed relationship with a container, comprising: a fixed member having an overhanging portion disposed to pass over and beyond said keeper as said door is closed; means forming a toggle system comprising a hollow bolt having a locking portion for cooperation with said keeper, and crank means pivotally engaging said bolt adjacent said locking portion, said crank being pivotally mounted on said fixed member at a point remote from said locking portion; fulcrum means associated with said overhanging portion for slideably supporting said bolt at a point remote from said locking portion; biasing means disposed within said hollow bolt and urging it away from said fulcrum; stop means limiting the rotation of said bolt in a direction away from said keeper; and actuating means for imparting rotation to a member of said toggle system about its fulcrum to engage and disengage said bolt from said keeper.

5. A latch mechanism for cooperation with a keeper to secure a door in closed relationship with a container, comprising: a fixed member having an overhanging portion disposed to pass over and beyond said keeper as said door is closed: means forming a toggle system comprising a bolt having a locking portion for cooperation with said keeper, and crank means pivotally engaging said bolt adjacent said locking portion, said crank beouter surface of said door at points outwardly y disposed with respect to the plane of the opening covered by said door, said member having an voverhanging portion disposed to pass over and a container, said keeper being attached to the outer side surface of said container, comprising: a fixed member adapted to be secured to the outer surface of said door at points outwardly disposed with respect to the plane of the opening covered by said door, said member having an overhanging portion disposed to pass over and beyond said keeper as said door is closed; a bolt;

, fulcrum means associated with said overhanging portion for supporting said bolt; and means for ing pivotally mounted on said fixed member at y a point remote from said locking portion; f ulcrum means associated with said overhanging portion for supporting said bolt at a point remote v from said locking portion; biasing means urging said bolt away from said fulcrum; stop means limiting the rotation of said bolt in a direction away from said keeper; trigger means pivotally mounted on said fixed member and having an operating member positioned to bear against said toggle system adjacent said locking portion, and having a contacting member adapted to cooperate with a surface fixed with respect to said keeper to rotate said trigger in a direction causing said locking portion to move toward locking position; and actuating means for imparting rotation to a member of said toggle system about its fulcrum to disengage said bolt from said keeper.

6. A latch mechanism for cooperation with a keeper to secure a door in closed relationship with a container, said keeper being attached to the outer side surface of said container, compris j ing: a xed member adapted to be secured to the rotating said bolt to and from interposed position between said fulcrum means and said keeper.

8. A latch mechanism for cooperation with a keeper to secure a door in closed relationship with a container, said keeper being attached to the outer side surface of said container, compris- 'disposed with respect to the plane of the opening covered by said door, said member having an cverhanging portion disposed to pass over and beyond said keeper as said door is closed; a bolt; supporting means associated with said overhanging portion for said bolt; biasing means associated with said overhanging portion urging said bolt; toward said keeper; and means for interposing said bolt between said support means and said keeper and withdrawing said bolt from interposed position.

9. A latch mechanism for cooperation with a keeper to secure a door in closed relationship with a container, said keeper being attached to the outer side surface of said container, comprising: a lixed member adapted to be secured to the outer surface of said door at points outwardly disposed with respect to the plane of the opening covered by said door, said member having an overhanging portion disposed to pass over and beyond said keeper as said door is closed; a bolt; supporting `means associated with said overhanging portion Y. for said bolt; biasing means associated with said overhanging portion urging said bolt toward said keeper, and means for interposing said bolt between said support means and said keeper and withdrawing said bolt from interposed position; and means for moving said bolt against said biasing means during said withdrawing action.

EDWIN B. JACOBSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 281,268 Haskell July 1'7, 1883 2,069,088 Geske Jan. 26, 1937 2,129,926 Geske et al Sept. 13, 1938 n' 2,142,845 Hogg Jan. 3, 1939 x 2,181,493 Nave Nov. 28, 1939 2,451,380 Curtiss, Jr Oct. 12, 1948 2,469,113 Hooker May 3, 1949 

